Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-03


wishing them good night he waited in the
corridor until he saw them enter the fatal
corner room, and then he called abruptly to
his brother: aCome out, Stephen, and let us
smoke
As soon as the two brothers were at liberty
to speak together privately Henry explained
the motive which had led to his staange in
uuiries about the bedrooms Francis had In
formed him of the meeting with the countess
at Venice, and of all that had followed it, and
Henry now carefully repeated the narrative
to his brother in all its details. II am not
satisfied he added, ''about that woman's
purpose in giving up her room Without
alarming the ladies by telling them what
have just told you, can you not warn Agnes
to be careful in securing her doorp Lord
Montbarry replied that the warning had al
ready been given by his wife, and Agnes
might be trusted to take good care Of herself
and her little bed fellow. For the rest, he
looked upon the wonderful story of the
countess and her superstitions as a, piece Of
theatrical exaggeration, amusing enough in
itself, but quite unworthy OF moments Sc
rious attention
While the gentlemen were absent from the
hotel. the room which had been already asso-
ciated with so many startling circumstances
became the scene of another strange event,
in which Lady MontbarTy's eldest child was
concerned
Little Marian had been got ready for bed
as usual, and had $50 far taken hardly any
notice of the new room As she knelt down
to say her prayers she happened to look up
at that part of the ceiling above her which
was Just over the head of the bed The next
instant she alarmed Agnes by starting to her
feet with cry of terror, and pointing to
small brown spot on one of the white paneled
spaces of the carved ceiling. Its a spot of
bloodr the child exclaimed. Take me
awavl won't sleep here"
Seeing plainly that it would be useless to
reas on with her while she was in the room
Agnes hurriedly wrapped Marian in a dress
ing gown and carried her back to her mother
in the drawing room. Here the ladies did
their best to soothe and reassure the trem-
bling girl The effort proved to be useless;
the impression that had been produced on the
young and sensitive mind was not to he re-
moved by persuasion Marian could give nc
explanation of the panic and terror that had
seized her. She was quite unable TO say why
the spot on the ceiling looked like the color OF
a spot of blood. She only knew that she
should die of terror if she saw it again. I'm
der these circumstances, but one alternative
was left. 1t was arranged that the child
| should pass the night in the room occupied by
her two younger sisters and the nurse.
| In half an hour more Marian was peace
| fully asleep with her arm around her sister:
! neck. Lady MonthaTT'y went back with Ag
mes to her room to see the spot on the ceiling
which had so strangely frightened the child
1t was SO small as to be only just perceptible
and had i'll all probability been caused by thu
carelesness OF q workman, or by dripping
| from water accidentally spilled on the foo
of the room above
Il really cannot understand why Marian
should place such a terrible Interpretation OF
such a triiing thing, Lady Montbarry re
marked.
Il suspect the nurse is in some way answer
able for what has happened" Agnes suggest
| ed. "She may quite possibly have been tell
ing Marian some tragic nursery story whicl
has left its mischievous impression behind it
Persons in her position are sadly ignorant o
the danger OF exciting chiid's imagination
You had better caution the nurse to-mor
row."
Lady MontharTy looked round the room
with admiration.
is it not prettily decorated" she said. :"
suppose, Agnes, you don't mind sleeping her
by yourseff'
Agnes laughed.
Il feel so tired,n she replied, THAT wa
thinking of bidding you good night, instea
of going back TO the drawing ROOM
Lady MontbarTy turned toward the door.
Il see your jewel case on the table" she It
sumed Don't forget to lock the other doc
there, in the dressing room"
Il have already seen to it, and tried tn
key myself said Agnes. Can be of an
use to you before go to bedF'
No, my dear, thank you; | feel sleep
enough to follow your example. Good nigh
Agnes-and pleasant dreams on your fir
night in Venice